§ MR. J. P. FARRELL (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, is he aware that collectors of Income Tax in Ireland last year suffered a loss of salary by the reduction of one-eighth in the assessment value of landed property in Ireland, and will he explain why, although this year the full assessment value has been restored, the salaries of such collectors have not been increased proportionately to the loss they sustained last year; and, is he aware that several districts in Ireland have petitioned for the increase, and will the prayer of the petitions be granted?
§ * MR. HANBURYThe collectors of Income Tax in Ireland are not paid by salary, as is assumed in the Question. They are still paid by poundage. They did not suffer any loss cither of salary or poundage last year—as in 1895–6, although the assessment value of the land was reduced by one-eighth, the 433 poundage was paid as if no such reduction had taken place. It was in 1894–5, not last year, that the poundage was paid only on the reduced value, but the Inland Revenue will apply to 1894–5 the practice adopted last year and make up the collectors' remuneration for 1894–5 to the same amount as would have been paid them if such reduction had not taken place. In a good many cases this has already been done. Any applications should be made through the Controller of Stamps and Taxes in Dublin.